Astrodome to be considered for historic landmark status

The Astrodome is shown during an election watch party at Reliant Center Tuesday, Nov. 5. (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle)

The city of Houston’s historical commission has voted unanimously to consider an effort that could give landmark status to the endangered Astrodome.

Maverick Welsh, chairman of the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, put forward the motion at the agency’s monthly meeting last week.

“I think it was the right thing to do,” Welsh said. “We have to focus on saving this building.”

The move, however, was principally symbolic. Such a designation would only put a 90-day hold on any demolition.

“It’s the only thing we can do as a commission to try and raise attention of saving the dome,” Welsh said.

If the commission decides to move forward, City Council would have final say on the historic designation.

Even though the building is owned by Harris County, Welsh said more voters within the city limits were in favor of the plan to restore the property as a convention and exhibition space.

The city commission, he said, is not trying to pick a fight with Harris County.

“We really supported what they were going to do,” Welsh said.

Commissioners will decide if they want to move forward at their next meeting, scheduled for December 12.

The last time the commission sought designation for a building was in 2007 for the privately owned River Oaks theater property on West Gray. It is typically the building owner who initiates historic landmark status for its property.